Achtung: Spitfire! – WWII Air Combat Over Europe 1940-1943 (1995)

About this game

Second of J.D. Webster's World War II air combat wargames Fighting Wings series. Tactical WW2 Air Combat game with mechanics upgraded from Over the Reich (first game in series). Focuses on air to air and air to ground combat during the Battle of Britain with some before (Battle of France) and some afterward (Western Europe through 1942). Mechanics are based on fairly realistic energy physics. Aircraft capabilities modeled closely on differences between the performance of the aircraft. A turn represents 4.1 seconds; a hex represents 100 yards. The game system is more complex than the other games of this type of combat such as Mustangs or Dauntless/Air Force Dauntless Expansion Kit. The system includes an operational scale to handle flying an entire mission.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 1 to 10. It has a designed solo mode.
• Rules load. At 4.1/5 this is a heavy game — read the rulebook before people arrive.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.